Prices in Malta continue to rise at a faster pace than in many other European countries, the Nationalist Party said Wednesday..

What's more concerning is that while the cost of living is increasing in Malta, the average cost of living across both the EU and the eurozone is falling.

Despite this - because it is disconnected from the realities facing the people - Robert Abela's Government remains idle in the face of a crisis that is pushing many families to the brink, with some unable to make ends meet and others receiving no support whatsoever. This is having a direct effect on living standards and quality of life.

The latest data published today by the Government itself through the National Statistics Office (NSO) shows that in May, the cost of living in Malta increased further, with the rate rising to 2.7% compared to the previous month. This contrasts with a decline in the EU average to 2.2%, and in the eurozone to 1.9%.

According to the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices - which compares prices across Europe - the EU average cost of living rate in May 2025 dropped significantly when compared to April and to the same month last year. The same trend was observed in the eurozone average, with a sharp drop both month-on-month and year-on-year.

In contrast, Malta's rate rose compared to both the previous month and the previous year - from 2.3% in May 2024 to 2.7% in May this year. The rate in Malta has been climbing steadily month after month since December 2024.

Once again, some of the biggest contributors to this increase were food prices, especially due to higher meat costs. Other contributing factors included rising transport costs and increases in restaurant and hotel prices.

This index, published today, is measured by the European Union's statistics office (EUROSTAT) and is based on a common basket of goods and services across all EU countries.

The primary cause of Malta's rising cost of living is the policy framework adopted by the Labour Government over the past 12 years - an economic model it is now admitting has failed. This has been compounded by reckless and uncontrolled public spending. While workers and businesses are struggling to cope, the Government continues its largesse with taxpayers' money.

As families suffer and come under increasing financial strain, the Robert Abela Government offers no solutions and remains frozen in the face of escalating prices.

In contrast, the Partit Nazzjonalista, even in Opposition, has been putting forward concrete proposals - measures that the Government has consistently brushed aside, as it did when it voted against the Opposition's Motion in Parliament to address the cost of living crisis. The PN's proposals include abolishing tax on the first €10,000 earned from part-time and overtime work; making the COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) non-taxable; providing tax credits to employers so that they are not forced to increase prices to offset COLA costs; setting up a National Fund to support importers and exporters in mitigating costs that impact inflation.

Above all, a new Nationalist Government would implement a new economic model with fresh sectors that create quality jobs and offer better pay for our workers, the PN said.